Tape dispensing and moistening means



Sept 14,1954 P MHALL TAPE DISPENSING AND MOISTENING MEANS 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 9, 1951 SePf- 14, 1954 P. M. HALL TAPE DISPENSING AND MOISTENING MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 9, 1951 INVENTOR. P/Pfs'To/v M. HHL L Sept. 14, 1954 P. M. HALL 2,688,948

TAPE DISPENSING AND MOISTENING MEANS Filed Feb. 9, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 v INVENTOR. PRES o/v M #HL/ Patented Sept. 14, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TAPE DISPENSING AND MOISTENING MEANS My invention relates to tape dispensing means and tape articles, more particularly to means for dispensing adhesive tape from roll form, and to adhesive tape articles, and the principal object of my invention is to provide'new and 'improved means and articles of such character.

The invention provides a relatively' inexpensive, yet sturdy and efficient device for dispensing lengths of adhesive tape from a roll, and accordingly such device hasv many uses and fulfills many requirements. For example, the device may be used to dispense tape for use in packing purposes and the like, it b-eing appreciated that a properly selected tape will be usedl for particular requirements. The device has many other uses, and as a further example, the embodiment of the invention herein disclosed is particularly suitable for use by persons engaged in the stamp collecting art. In such latter use, the tape is preferably very thin and is dispensed in lengths corresponding to that of a stamp hinge.

The invention also provides a tape article, particularly an adhesive tape article, which has yclecided advantages over the prior art. Ordinary adhesive tape is subject to serious objections in that the adhesive extends to the edges of the tape and tends to adhere to unintended parts. This is particularly true in the case of stamp hinges, and many valuable stamps have been appreciably devalued because gummy moisture is squeezed out beyond the margins of the stamp lhinge and causes adherence of the stamp to the supporting page or causes adherence of succeeding pages.

In the drawings accompanying this specification and forming a part of this application, there is shown, for purposes of illustration, an embodiment which my invention may assume, and in these drawings: Y

Figure l is a perspective view of a device `embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View taken through the device shown in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a transverse `sectional View corresponding generally to the line 3 3 of Figure 2,

Figure Il is a sectional View similar to Figure .2 but with parts in a different position,

Figures 5 and 6 are exploded perspective views of details,

Figure 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view corresponding generally to the line 1 1. of .Figure 2,

Figure 8 is fa perspective View of the :tapeffmoistening device,

lFigure 9 is a lfragmentary `exploded perspective view of parts comprising .the tape moistening device,

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding generally to the line Iii--ID of Figure 2,

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding generally to the line II-II of Figure 2,

Figures '12 through 14 are generally diagrammatic views illustrating rsteps in the operation oi the dispenser, and

Figure 15 is a plan view of an article of manufacture, which article may be produced by the device shown in the preceding figures.

Referring to the drawings, the device therein shown to disclose my invention comprises rst and second `bodies I5 and I6 Which are connected for relative movement. The body I'5 forms a base (and lwill hereinafter generally be termed as a base) and comprises a bottom wall Il, side Walls I8 and I9 and end Walls 20 and 2i, the foregoing walls providing an open-top box-like formation.

The body I6 comprises side walls 22 and 23 and one end Wall 2'4, the opposite end of the body being preferably open for a purpose later vto appear. The body I 6 has a short lower Wall 25 which extends vbetween the side Walls 22, 23. The body IIB is further formed with an upright `guide rib 26 (see'Figure 3) extending inwardly from the side wall 22. Spaced from the rib 26 in a direction toward the end wall l24 are a pair of upright ribs 21 extending inwardly from respective side Walls 2'2, 23, these ribs cooperating With the rib 26 to provide guides for vertical reciprocation of a tape moistening device 28 which Will be described in detail later. The ribs 2l, v2l are of stepped formation and upright slots 29 are provided therein for' guiding reciprocating `movement of a knife 3D.

The body IB is adapted to telescopically nt Within the base I5 for movement toward and away from the base wall Il. Preferably, the transverse exterior `size of the body I6 is slightly less than the opening defined by the inner surfaces of the Walls I8, I9, 20 and 2| of the body I5 so that the body `Iii is kout of fricticnal contact With such inner wall surfaces.

To :maintain 4the ybody I in true sliding relationship With the base I5, the latter is provided with four spaced-apart upright rods 3:I (see especially Figures 3 and l0), each .having sliding bearing nt Within a respective sleeve 32 secured Within elongated apertures formed in the side Walls 22, 23 of the body I6. The body IG, at each of its four corners, is formed with an elongated vertically extending recess 33, each recess slidably receiving the shank of a stud 34 (see especially Figure 11). A coil spring 35 encircles a respective stud 3l# and is interposed between the inner surface of the bottom wall il of the base I5 and the bottom of a counterbcre of the recess 33. It will be appreciated that the springs -35 operate to urge the body I5 in a direction outwardly of the base I5. To prevent complete unintentional withdrawal of the body I6 from the base I 5, a machine screw 3S (see Figure 3) is threaded through the side wall I9 of the base l5 and such screw is engageable with the bottom of a slot 3l (see Figure 2) formed in the side wall 23 of the body I@ to limit outward movement of the body i6. A similar slot 38 is formed in the opposite side wall 22 of the body I6, and the slots 3l and 38 provide means for viewing of the moistening device 28.

The side walls 22 and 22 of the'body I6 are apertured to receive a shaft 39 which carries a roll of tape 49. In the embodiment shown, the shaft is in the form of a stud which has a reduced end threaded into the side wall 23 and has its opposite end headed for manipulation purposes. The side wall I3 of the base I5 is slotted, as at i I, to provide for free passage of the head of the shaft when the body I6 is moved inwardly of the base i5. Overlying the upper terminal margins of the walls 22, 23 and 24 of the body I5 is a cap 42 which has a preferably lplane undersurface and which may be secured to the body I6 by means of cap screws 43 threaded into the side Walls 22, 23.

Interposed between the undersurface of the cap 42 and the upper terminal margins of the walls `22, 23 is a tape-guiding piece 45 (see especially Figure 5). The guiding piece 45, as herein shown, comprises an upper plate 4t and a lower plate 4l. The lower plate is formed with thickened portions t3 at opposite side edges forming therebetween a trough 49 which has its upwardly directed opening closed by the upper plate 26 to provide a recess for receiving and guiding the tape T. The upper plate 46 hasdan upwardly curved lip 5c to facilitate threading of the tape into the recess.

The lower plate il is centrally and longitudinally slotted, as shown at 5I, and the upper plate is provided with a short slot 52 adapted to align with a portion of the slot 5I. The upper and lower plates are transversely slotted, as shown at 53 and 5t, and these slots are aligned and provide a shearing edge for the knife 3i). The cap 42 is provided with a recess which aligns with the slots 53, 5d to provide for clearance of the knife" Sii. The upper and lower plates are also formed with aligned apertures 56 to pass the cap screws `43 which hold the cap 42 and tape guiding piece 45 in assembled relation with the body I6.

facilitate proper driving engagement with the tape.

The side walls 22, 23 of the member I6 are provided with vertically extending slots 58 (see Figures l, 3 and 7) which open into the upper terminal margins of such side walls, the opening into the slots 5S being closed by the overlying tape-guiding piece 45 and the cap 42. The slots 58 accommodate a transverse shaft 59 on which are xedly mounted spaced-apart collars Si), 6I

(see especially Figure '7), and positioned between the collars is a disc-like wheel t2. ln the embodiment disclosed, the collar at is pinned to the shaft 59 and another pin connects the collars and the wheel to complete the assembly. The shaft 53 may be provided with a headed portion 63 for manual manipulation purposes.

In the present embodiment the shaft E9 is yieldably supported and the supporting means herein disclosed comprise a pair of bearings 'i0 which engage spaced parts of the shaft, each bearing having a cylindrical depending portion 'il ior receiving the upper end of a respective coil spring l2, the lower end of each spring seating in a recess formed in the respective side walls 22; 23

` of the body I6. Thus, the wheel 52 is urged upward toward Contact with the roller 5l (the slot El in the lower plate 41 of the guiding piece 45 providing for such contact) and an extended portion of the tape disposed between'the roller 5l and wheel 52 will be fed by proper rotation of the wheel. The peripherial surface of the wheel 62 is preferably knurled so that it will engage the tape and feed it without slipping.

spaced-apart in circular formation about the wheel 52 are a plurality of pegs i3, each extending transversely of the wheel and having portions extending from opposite sides of the wheel. A roller 'I4 is journalled on each extending portion or" each peg I3 and the extremities of each peg may be headed to retain the respective rollers in place.

An upright standard 'l5 is supported by the base wall Il (see Figures 2 and a) this standard being slotted, as at l', at its upper end (see Figure 5) to provide for pivotal supportr of a pawl l'i. A spring IE is carried by the standard l5 and has an angular portion seated in a slot 'i9 in the pawl TF for the purpose of yieldably urging the pawl to position shown in Figure 2 wherein a portion of the pawl engages the standard and prevents clockwise movement of the pawl. The pawl is provided with a bifurcated portion, the legs of which are adapted to straddle the wheel 22 and engage with the oppositely extending rollers of any one of the pegs "i3,

As the body i@ is moved inwardly of the oase I5 (by manual force) the wheel 52 carried thereby is correspondingly moved downwardly to present a set of rollers lil against the upper suriace or the pawl legs, and continued inward movement the body I6 will cause clock-wise rotation of the wheel 62 an amount determined by the length of time the engaged rollers 'Eet remain in contact with the pawl legs.

When the body i6 has reached its innermost position (see Figure ll) the pawl legs will have cleared the previously engaged rollers li. On release of manual pressure on the body i3, the body is spring-pressed to its outer position as shown in Figure 2. In travel to such outer position, the pawl legs will wipe past the succeeding pair of rollers T4, its pivot permitting it to swing upwardly slightly so as not to engage such succeeding rollers in driving relation. Therefore, the wheel 62 will be rotated clockwise a predetermined amount each time the body l is pressed inwardly of the base I5, and the extended tape portion within the guide recess and between the roller 5l andwheel 62 will be moved forwardly in amount equal to the angular rotation of the wheel 62.

As best seen in Figures 2, 4 and 7, the tape T is extended from the roll 4B and is extended through the guide recess formed by the tapeguiding piece 45 and in between the roller 5l and v-wheel '62, `so las to extend :forwardly (to the right as Aviewed 'in Figures f2 and :4) Each 'time the A.body I6 lis pressed inwardly of 'the base I5, the tape `will be .fed a predetermined amount, as will vbe appreciated. .When vpressure on .the body I6 is removed andthe body is spring-.pressed to 'starting position, ithe tape 'will not -be moved in either direction.

In fthe present :embodiment,;he tape Tis provided with 4mucilage on zits 'under surface and provision is `made formoistening :the mucilage 'as the :tape is fed. The 4moisltening means 28, Yas herein disclosed, comprises a container ABl? for containing the moistening vuid,r which 'usually is water. The L.container 80 is Apreferably made of transparent material, .such as` clear plastic, :so that the `amount of .liquid contained therein .is readily visible.

Inthe present case, 'the :container 80 is vformed with an integral square vupperhead .8l and with a spaced square lower Ih'ead 82. rThe lower head is .preferably formed of Va wearing material, such as `a suitable metal, and preferably .is formed with an opening for receiving the lower vend `of the container 80. It will beappreciated that the lower head 82 and vthe container 88 may be secured together in any suitable manner and .that the square heads 8|, `82 provide shoulders, or abutments, for a purpose to be disclosed.

A wick 83 is disposed Within the container 80 and a cap 84 is provided for closing the upper end of the container, this .cap having a plug portion 85 .adapted to frictionally t within `the container opening and a fiange portion 86 adapted to overlie the container opening. The cap 84 is formed with a slot 81 to pass the upper end of the wick 83, and extending from the defining walls of the slot 81 (seeligure 9 is Va prong 88 which pierces the upper portion .of` `the wick and prevents unintentional displacement of the wick. A small opening "89 'is provided lnear the top of the container for filling purposes, and such opening is accessible through one of the elongated viewing slots 31, 38 formed in the side walls of the -body I6. On assembly, Vthe defining walls of the slot 81 in the lcap 84 pinch the upper portion of the wick 83 against a defining wall of the opening into the container 89, and the outer extending portion of the wick is thereby curled forwardly, asbest seen in Figures 2 and 4.

The container 80 is guided for upright sliding motion with respect to the body I-B by the rib 28 and the spaced ribs 21. A machine screw 98 (see Figures 2, 3 and 4) is threaded into the side wall 23 of the body I6 in position so that its extremity is fengageable with vthe shoulder formed by either one of the upper or lower 'heads 8l, 82. Engagement with the lower head -82 Vwill prevent the container from being entirely withdrawn from the body I6, and the purposefor engagement with the .upper head 8| will presently appear.

Secured to the bottom wall I1 of the base I5 in any suitable manner, and extending upwardly therefrom is a leaf spring 3| which has its upper end curled, as shown at 92. In the outer position of the body I6, the curled end 92 of the spring 9| is engageable with the under surface of the 'lower head 82 and yieldably supports the container in an upper `position wherein the outer end of the wick 83 is spaced from the'under surface of thetape T, as seen in Figure`2.

As the body I6 is pressed inwardly of the base I5, the curled fend 92 of the spring 9| still supports the container 80 so that such container is movedrelative 'lto the body IE6 and is `.thus pressed into engagement with ythe .under surface :of the tape T as the tape is moved therepast, and fthe mucilage portion zof vthe 'tape .is rfmoistened by such engagement. .As .the lbody t6 is :further pressed inwardly of .the base :I.5,thecontainer 83 is held against further :relative movement `with respect to the body I6 by'reason of the factl that the extended portion of the wick 83 vbears lagainst the under surface of the `tape T. Therefore, kthe under surface of lower :head .82 iis .caused to press against the curled `end `92 of the spring 19|,1and the spring is flexed to Athe left (as viewed in Figure 2) and the curled .end 92 slides :along :the side of the lowerhead until it reaches the reduced area ybetween the .upper :and lower heads, whereupon .the curled end 92 will move into such reduced area and will permit the container to drop by gravity until7 the under vsurface of ythe upper head `8| engages with .the curled Iend :92 of the spring 9|.. The container 80 Ais thus dropped suiciently so that the extended lportion of the wick v33 is out of engagement with the under surface of the tape T.

On spring-pressed :return movement of the body I6, the end of machine screw 90 `engages under the upper head 8| and draws -the container upwardly, thereby causing flexing of the spring 3| so that the curled end 92 wipes across the surface of the lower 'head 82 :and nally snaps back under `the Alower head toa-gain support the container in position shown in -Figure 2.

The tape severing knife` V3'0 comprises :a flat blade which is guided for upright movement by the deiining walls of the slots 29 and in position so that its cutting extremity moves vthrough the shearing edges .formed by the slots v5d, 53 of the tape-guiding piece '45, and into 'the recess `r55 of the cap 42 when the body rIf6 is pressed com# pletely inwardly of `the ba'se I5. Thus, as `the cutting extremity of the knife passes 'through the shearing edges o'f the slots .54, 53, rthe tape portion extending through the ytape-'guiding piece 45 Ais severed. A coil spring 95 lhas its upper end connected to the Vknife 30 and its lower end connected to the lower inner surface of the 'end wall 24 of the body I6. Therefore, the `knife 350 Lis constantly urged in a downward direction by the spring. However, the blade of theknife 'is of such length that its lower end will engage the inner surface of the bottom wall I1 of the base I5 prior to the time that the 'body I6 has been completely pressed inwardly of the base I5. Thus, the knife edge is moved through the slots 54, 53 of the tape-'guiding piece '45 to sever the tape.

The sequence of operations will'now bedescribed, vit being assumed that tape from -the roll 80 has rbeen Vextended and threaded through the tape-guiding piece 45 sufficiently so that its extremity extends beyond the slots 54, 53 of such piece. Upon initial `inward movement of thebody I8, the container 88 is held by the spring 9| `so that the extended portion ofthe wick 83 engages the under surface of `the tape T. Preferably shortly thereafter, the legs of the pawl 11 engage adjacent pairs of rollers14` on the wheel 62, and the wheel lis rotated to feed ythe tape forward.

Preferably, just prior `to the 1timesifeeding loi the tape is interrupted by reason of the legs of the pawl leaving 'the Irollers 1'4, the curled end' 92 vof .spring 9! lenters Ithe .space 'between Athe upper and .lower heads fail, 82 fof Jthe container 8.8,

and the container drops to positions shown in Figure 4, wherein it is supported by engagement of the curled end 92 with the under surface of the upper head 8| and in such position the wick `is out of engagement with the under surface of the tape. Preferably just after feeding of the tape isY interrupted, the cutting edge of the knife 30 is moved through the slots 59, 53 of the tape-guiding piece 45 to sever the extended and moistened tape portion.

Since the rollers 14 are equally spaced about the wheel 52, the feed of tape will be exactly the same for each operation and such feed may be predetermined kby proper spacing of the rollers `lll. In the present case, the feed is of such length that the outer end of the severed portion of thel tape will abut a iinger 96 (see especially Figure 4). Since the tape is held by engagement of the wheel E2 with the roller 5l and also abuts the vfinger 96 at the 'end of feeding operation,

the tape will not tend to crawl during cutting operation by the knife 30.

Figures 12 through l5 illustrate generally diagramatically step-by-step operations of the Figure 12 illustrates the condition when the wick `83 is just ready to drop from contact with the tape. Thus the point marked a represents the most rearward point of moisture on the extended tape portion Te.

regulated to proper amount sov that the extended portion is the right length to form a hinge flap.

now folded portion Te may be withdrawn from In Figure 13, the wick 83 has been dropped from A contact with the tape but the tape has been vfed so that point a has been moved forward to the position shown. The knife 39 is shown in position ready to cut the tape and sever the extended portion Te from the remainingy tape portion. Thus, it will be appreciated that the extended tape portion Te is not moistened in an area extending inwardly from the rear'edge of such portion.

In Figure 14, the extended tape portion is shown severed and moved for use and the wick 83 has again been moved into contact with the tape T. Because of the bent end of the wick 83, the tape is not moistened in an area extending inwardly from its front edge so that the' tape portion is only moistened a distance represented by the dimension b. In the presently disclosed embodiment, the wick 83 is of a width that is less v than the width of the tape and therefore only an intermediate longitudinal portion of the tape will be moistened. Accordingly, the severed tape porf tion will be moistened only in the area indicated bythe stippling in Figure 15.

My improved tape dispenser may be used by persons involved in the stamp collecting art, and the dispenser may be so constructed and arranged that it will dispense stamp hinges. A stamp hinge comprises a thin piece of paper of a size such as shown in Figure 15 and the paper is provided with mucilage on one surface thereof. In use, the hinge is folded along a transverse line, such as the line 9|, with the mucilage portions disposed outwardly. If the hinge is formed by the dispenser herein disclosed, the mucilage is already moistened so that a stamp may be stuck to one flap of the hinge and the other flap may be stuck to a supporting surface, such as a page in a stamp collecting book.

As seen in Figure 1, when the body I6 has been spring-pressed to outer position, the severed tape portion Te extends partially outwardly of the guiding piece 45, and such extension may be the dispenser and the stamp may be immediately mounted on a page of a collecting book.`

As best seen in Figure'fl, the end walls 20 and 24 of the base l5 and body I6, respectively, are provided with notches 98, 99, respectively, these notches being of suiiicient depth so that-the undersurface ofthe tape is maintained clear of contact with the end walls so that mucilage will not collect and interfere with smooth operation of the dispenser. If desired, an additional cap i may be provided to protect the tape roll andV tape from deposit of any foreign material which may aifect smooth operation of the dispenser. The cap lili! may provide apertures which fit 'overy projections W2 extending upwardly from the upper surface of the side walls 22, 23. v a

In view` of Athe foregoing it will' be apparent to those skilled in the art that VI have accomplished at least the principal object of my invention and it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiment herein described may be variously changed and'modified, without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention is capable of uses and has advantages not herein speciiically described, hence it will be appreciated thatthe herein disclosed embodiment is illustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto. f

I claim:

l. Adhesive tape dispensing means, comprising: iirstand second bodies `connected for relative movement, one of said bodies having means for carrying a-roll of adhesive tape; driving means yengageable with the tape and actuated by relative movement `of said bodies to move said tape in dispensing manner; moistening means operable to have wiping engagement with the dispensed tape and actuatedy by 'relative movement of said bodies; and knife means, actuated'by relative movement ofi said bodies and operable to sever the dispensed' tape.

2. Adhesive tape dispensing means, comprising a base; abody slidably mounted on said base and having 'means for carrying a roll of tape, said body-having a guide for receiving a portion of the tapeextended from ysaid roll; a tape inoistening device supported by lsaid base and adapted to be in moistening engagement with said tape at least during a portion of the `time said tape is moved so as to moisten at least a portion of said tapev as it is fed thereby; shiftble means carried by said body and frictionally engageable with said extended tape portion; drive means carried by said base and engageable with said shiftable meansthrough sliding action of said body to drive said shiftable means and cause the same to feed and further extend said tape portion; and knife means actuated by sliding action of said body after said tape portion has been further extended a predetermined amount, tov sever at least a part of said tape portion.v

faeasgsae :is ewater. The '.:container A'.80 :is preferably made .cfftransparentimateriaLfisuch as clear plastic, .so :that the .amount ofiliquidpfcontained'therein =is lreadily Visible. f

In the present fcase,the.'container 80 .isrformed with an;integral squareuupper head i8l fand `with a Yspaced .square.flowerthea'di82- Thezlower head .'fis :preferably formed .of fa Wearing material, such :as a fsuitable .metal .and ".preferablyis formed with :an opening 'for receiving theolower end fof -the containeri. `Itwill-be.appreciated that the :lower head :'82 Aandthe container 80 .may bese- 'cured ltogether in :anyssuitable manner and vthat the square heads .8.l, F82 yprovide shoulders, or abutments, for a purpose to be disclosed.

.A wick :83 vis -disposed within the Acontainer 80 and Ia capf84 is-provided `for closing the .upper -end .of the container, :this cap having a.plug :portion 85 yadapted 'to-.frictionally fit Within .the :containerfopeningand aflange'portion 86 adapted to overlie the container opening. The cap 84 :is :formed with laslo't F81 tozpass the upper end vof the wick 83, and extending from "the'dening Awalls ofthe slot .81 (see v'Figure l9) is a prong 288 whichl pierces the upper portion .of 'the wick 'and prevents unintentional:displacementof the Wick. A small opening '89 vis provided -near thetop of the container for filling purposes, and 4such opening is accessible through one of the elongated viewing slotsf31, 438`formed'inthe-side Walls of the 'body I6. On assembly, the defining walls of the slot81 inthe cap V84 pinchy theupper `portion of the `wick '83 against Va defining wall of the opening into the container 580, and the youter extending portion of the Wick is thereby7 'curled forwardly, as best seen in Figures 2fand 4.

'The container '8U @is guided for upright sliding motion with respect vto the ybody I=6 by lthe rib `26 and the fspaced ribs 2T. A machine screw 90 (see Figures 2, 3 and a4) isf/threaded `into the side Wall 23 of the -ibody I8 `in p'osition so that iits extremity isengageable lwith the shoulder Iformed by either-one-of'the'upper orlower `hea-ds :8L 82. Engagement with the lower head `82 will prevent the container from being entirely withdrawn from the body JIfG, .and the purpose 'for engagement with the upper head 58| will presently appear.

Secured -to the bottom -wall I`1 of the base l5 vin anysuitable manner, and `extending upwardly 'therefrom-iis aleaf spring 9| which has itsupper fend curled, as shown at 92. `lIn fthe outer position of the .body '18, the curled end 92 of the spring 9| is engageable 'with the =under surface of the lower 'head '82 and Ayi'eldably :supports the container in'an fupper position wherein the louter endof the wick'831is spaced from'thefunder sur- .face of the tapeT,'.-as -seenfin Figure 12.

As'the'body I6 ispressed inwardly of .the base fk5, the curled end 92 ofthe :spring 9| still supports the container 80 so that such container is moved relative-to l:theibocl-yHi 'and eisfthusipressed into lengagementwith the iunderfsurfacesaof ydine 'tape `lfas the tapezis :moved therepast,-.andr the :mucilage :portion of :the stape is tmoistened :by such engagement. .As lthe :body 4Ni .isffur-ther :pressed 'inwardly o'frthe Vibaset5,zthuercontainer:80 :is .held against :furtherrelativemovement respect to .fthe :body Hi `byire'ason fof' the `fact vthat fthe l,extended porti-ont'of the wckl853 .fbearsagainst the under surface ofth'e itape .T. '''hereforepthe un'dersur'face Yof lower head :82 'is..caused :totpress Yagainst :the curled' en'd`192 .'of :the springl 9.'I.,fand the .spring .is 4flexed zto theleft l(as viewed in .Figure 2) and the :curledifend 92 slidesal'ongrith'e iside .of the .lower rh'ead until :it :reaches the .reduced area :between the f -upper vpand :lower Thea'ds, ywhereupon .the lcurled end .192 will move .into :such .reduced .area .and willA permit L-the .:container Ito .drop by gravity until vthe under surface ofthe upper :head'i engages Iwith "the curled end 5.92 of .the spring '91.. 'The .zcontainer .80 is thus dropped suiiciently so fthat :the :extended portion yof the Wick 83 -is `outof engagement fw'ithf-the =un :der surface vof '.theftape'T.

On spring-pressed return movement :of fthe body I6,the end of machinescrew :90..engages under :the 'upperhead 118| .and .drawsthe-container 80 upwardly, ttherebycausin'g flexing :of :the .spring 9l .so "that the curled :end '92 wipes `across the surface `of the lowerhead 82 .and Ynally snaps :back .under the 4lower head'lto again support the container in position-shown inEig- 1ure`2.

.The tape A.severing Aknife VS30 :compriseswa ilat fblade which is guided for upright .movement `by the .defining -walls of the tslots 29and`in position rso that its cutting extremity moves through `the 'shearing edges formed 'by the slots 54, 53 fof 4the tape-guiding piece 4"45, and into the recess-"'55 yof the cap 542 when the bod-y 'I-B sisfpressed-com'- .pletely inwardly of 'the `base 115. fThus, as v:the cutting extremity of the knife passes k'through the shearing edges of the slots `5'4, 53,31thetape portion extending through -the tape-'guiding 'piece 145 is severed. A coil sprin-g`f95i`has 5its"upper-end connected to the knife 30 andl its -lower endcon- :nected to the lower innersurface `of the-end wall 2`4 `of the body I6. Therefore, theknife '30 is constantly urged in 'a downward direction lby the spring. However, the blade of lthe'k-nife `is 'of -such -length that Aits `lower end will engage fthe inner fsurface'of the 'bottom `wall I'lv'of the Ibase t5 prior to Ithe "time that the'body `Il6 'has -b'eencompletely ypressed inwardly of the'base -I`5. Thus, the knife edge 'is `moved -through the lslots 54, 53 of the tape-guidingrpiece `Vl5 to sever the tape. i

"The vsequence of operations will Inow be '1described, it being assumed ithat tape fromlthe `roll `Il() has been :extended and threaded"throughthe tape-guiding piece 45 sufliciently so that its vextremity extends beyond the'slots 5'4, 53 of such piece. Upon initial inward movement ofthe body tape. `most rearward point of moisture on the extended Itape portion Te.

`portions disposed outwardly.

aesaeis` Figure 4,`wherein it is supported by engagement of the curled end 92 with the under surface of the upper head 8| Land in such position the wick is out of engagement with the under surface of the tape. yPreferably just after feeding of the tape is interrupted, the cutting edge of the knife 30 is moved through the slots 56, 53 of the tape-guiding piece 45 to sever the extended and moistened tape portion.

Since the rollers 'I4 are equally spaced about the wheel 62, the feed of tape will be exactly the `saine for each operation and such feed may be predetermined by proper spacing of the rollers 14. In the present case, the feed is of such length that the outer end of the severed portion of the `tape will abut a finger 96 (see especially Figure `4). Since the tape is held by engagement of the wheel 62 with the roller 57 and also abuts the finger 96 at the end of feeding operation, the tape will not tend to crawl during cutting operation by the knife 3|).

Figures 12 through 15 illustrate generally dia- `grarnatically step-by-step operations of the moistening device and the knife. In Figure 12, the wick 83 is in Contact with the tape 'I' and the tape is being fed in the direction of the arrow. Figure 12 illustrates the condition when the Wick 83 is just ready to drop from contact with the Thus the point marked a represents the In Figure 13, the wick 83 has been dropped from extended portion Te from the remaining tape portion. Thus, it will be appreciated that the .extended tape portion 'Ie is not moistened in an area extending'inwardly from the rear edge of l such portion.

In Figure 14, the extended tape portion is shown severed and moved for use and the wick 83 has again been moved into contact with the tape T.- Because of the bent end of the wick 83, `the tape is not moistened in an area extending jinwardly from its front edge so that the tape portion is only moistened a distance represented by the dimension b. In the presently disclosedA embodiment, the wick 83 is of a width that is less than the width of the tape and therefore only an intermediate longitudinal portion of the tape will be moistened. Accordingly, the severed tape portion will be moistened only in the area indicated by the stippling in Figure 15.

My improved tape dispenser may be used by i persons involved in the stamp collecting art, and

the dispenser may be so constructed and arranged that it will dispense stamp hinges. A stamp hinge comprises a thin piece of paper of a size such as shown in Figure 15 and the paper is provided with mucilage on one surface thereof. In use, the hinge is folded along a transverse line, such as the line 9|, with the mucilage If the hinge is formed by the dispenser vherein disclosed, the mucilage is already moistened so that a stamp may be stuck to one flap of the hinge and the other flap may be stuck to a supporting surface, such as apage in a stamp collecting book.

As seen in Figure 1, when the body IG has been spring-pressed to outer position, the severed tape portion Te extends partially outwardly of the `guiding piece 45, and such extension may be regulated to proper amount so that the extended portion is the right length to form a hinge nap. A user may position a stamp S on his finger and press such stamp against the hinge nap, the outer surface of the end wall 24 ofthe body |6 providing a gage against which an edge-of the stamp may be abutted. After the stamp S has been stuck to the hinge nap, the user may move his nger upwardly so as to bend the extended hinge flap about the edge 91 of the cap 42 and thus form the other flap of the hinge. The now folded portion Te may be withdrawn from the dispenser and the stamp may be immediately mounted on a page of a collecting book.

As best seen in Figure 4, the end walls 29 and 24 of the base I5 andV body I6, respectively, are provided with notches 98,-99, respectively, these notches being of sufficient depth so that the undersurface of the tape is maintained clear of contact with the end walls so that muoilage will not collect and interfere with smooth operation of the dispenser. If desired, an additional cap |00 may be provided to protect the'tape roll and tape from deposit of any'foreign material which may affect smooth operation of the dispenser. 'Ihe cap |99 may provide apertures which fit `over projections 92 extending upwardly from the upper surface of the side walls 22, 23.

In view of the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have accomplished at least the principal object of my invention and it will'also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiment herein described may be variously changed and-modified, without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention is capable of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described, hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed embodiment is illustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

1. Adhesive tape dispensing means, comprising: rst and second bodies connected for relative movement, one of said bodies having means for carrying a roll of adhesive tape; driving means engageable with the tape and actuated by relative movement of said bodies to move said tape in dispensing manner; moistening' means operable to have wiping engagement with the dispensed tape and actuated by relative movement of said bodies; and knife means, actuated by relative movement of said bodies and-operable to sever the dispensed tape.

2. Adhesive tape dispensing means, comprising: a base; a body slidably mounted on said base and having means for carrying a roll of tape, said body having a guide for receiving a portion of the tape extended from 'said roll; a tape moistening device supported by said base and adapted to be in moistening engagement with said tape at least during a portion of the time said tape is moved so as to moisten at least a portion of said tape as it is fed thereby; shiftble means carried by said body and frictionally engageable with said extended tape portion; drive means carriedrby said base and engageable with said shiftable means through sliding action of said body to drive said shiftable means and cause the same to feed and further extend said tape portion; and knife means actuated bysliding action of said body after said tape portion has been further extended a predetermined amount, to sever at least a part of said tape portion.

3. Adhesive tape dispensing means, comprising: a base; a body slidably mounted for movement in a direction toward and resiliently urged in a direction away from said base and having means for carrying a roll of tape, said body having a guide for receiving a portion of the tape extended from said roll; a tape moistening device supported by said base and adapted to be in moistening engagement with said tape at least during a portion of the time said tape is moved so as to moisten at least a, portion of said tape as it is fed thereby; wheel means rotatably carried by said body and having a peripheral friction surface engageable with said tape portion and also having a, plurality of spaced-apart transversely extending members; pawl means pivotally carried by said base and spring-pressed to position for engagement with an adjacent one of said members through sliding action of said body in a direction toward said base to rotate said wheel means a predetermined amount defined by the period of interengagement with said adjacent member, said pawl means swinging past said adjacent member on movement of said body away from said base and adapted for engagement with a succeeding member on the succeeding inward movement of said body; and knife means slidably carried by said body and resiliently urged to retracted position, said knife means bearing against a portion of said base when said body is I' moved in a direction toward said base and being thus extended to sever at least a part of sai tape portion.

4. Adhesive tape dispensing means, comprising: a base; a body slidably mounted on said base and having means for carrying a roll of tape; driving means, in part carried by said base and in part carried by said body, and positioned so that a portion of the tape extended from said roll may be engaged by a rotatable portion of said driving means, said driving means being rotated by sliding movement of said body to engage said tape portion and move it to effect unwinding action of tape from said roll; knife means, actuated by sliding movement of said body after said tape portion has been moved a predetermined amount, to sever the extended portion of said tape; moistening means shiftably carried by said body for movement toward and away from said tape and having spaced-apart abutment portions; spring means carried by said base and having a portion engageable with one of said abutment portions, the foregoing construction being such that during initial movement of said body in one direction said spring portion supports said moistening means for engagement with said tape, and during later stages of movement of said body in said one direction said spring portion disengages with said one abutment portion so that said moistening means is no longer supported for engagement with said tape; and means carried by said body and engageable with the other said abutment portion when movement of said body is reversed, such engagement effecting movement of said moistening means with said body to position wherein said one abutment portion re-engages with said spring portion.

References cited in the fue of this patent UNTTED sTATEs PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 22,981 Fitch Mar. 9, 1948 574,780 Britton Jan. 5, 18,97 842,948 Elliott Feb. 5, 1907 843,101 Roberts Feb. 5, 1907 947,202 Moore Jan. 18, 1910 948,944 Moore Feb. 8, 1910 1,058,958 Frohn Apr. 15, 1913k 1,185,991 Fleming June 6, 1916 1,384,090 Rideout July 12, 1921 2,095,894 Tarr Oct. 12, 1937 2,147,223 Vergobbi Feb. 14, 1939 2,285,507 Gilliam June 9, 1942 2,445,574 Grunow July 20, 1948 

